A Muslim in a Jewish Land

On a trip to Israel, a Muslim journalist sees firsthand a litany of lies.

As I boarded EL AL flight LY 0008 for Tel Aviv on November 14, 2005 with my wife, Kiran, my mind was busy arranging and re-arranging the list of things I intended to accomplish. I wanted to use my first visit to Israel to feel the strength of the Jewish spirit that refuses to give in to evil forces despite thousand of years of anti-Semitism. It was not Israel's suicidal sacrifices that I wanted to investigate but the foundations of Israeli determination to live in peace.

There are many things that I wanted to talk about with Israelis, the foremost among them being their reluctance to do something about the bad press that continues to paint them as villains. Although I understand why the media, which reasonably covers most events accurately, chooses to ignore all rules of ethical journalism when it comes to Israel, I could not fathom Israel's reluctance to challenge the negative press effectively. Media bias against Israel reminded me of the Nazi era German press that was recruited by Hitler's Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels who picked up every hate-laden word against the Jews. Just like the German press who refused to print the truth about the gruesome atrocities in Europe's death camps - or claimed that it was all an exaggeration, the media today also ignores the Arab terrorism. I wanted to see if there was any truth in the media allegations that Israel was an apartheid state, undemocratic and discriminatory.

My understanding of the Jewish State was confirmed when the entry form that I needed to fill before landing in Tel Aviv did not ask for my religion as is the law in Pakistan.

I knew that a true Jewish State could not be undemocratic since democratic concepts were always a part of Jewish thinking and derived directly from the Torah. For instance when in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, he was basically referring to Torah that said that all men are created in the image of God. I was confident that Israel cannot be racist or discriminatory since it is based on the idea of the covenant between God and the Israelites, in which both parties accepted upon themselves duties and obligations underlining the fact that power is established through the consent of both sides rather than through tyranny by the more powerful party.

My understanding of the Jewish State was confirmed when the entry form that I needed to fill before landing in Tel Aviv did not ask for my religion as is the law in Pakistan. Also, unlike Saudi Arabia, no one in Israeli immigration demanded from me any certificate of religion.

As the El Al approached the Promised Land, I continued to shuffle the list of charges made routinely against Israel by its enemies.

Israelis live in a perpetual state of fear.
Israel is undemocratic.
Muslim Arab citizens of Israel do not have equal rights

Israelis live in a perpetual state of fear:

From Tel Aviv to Tiberias, Jerusalem to Jezreel, and from Golan heights to the Gaza border, I could not find any evidence of fear. In fact the people felt so secure that none of the stores, gas stations, market places, or residences we went to, and where it was known that we were Muslims, deemed it necessary to either search or interrogate us. Especially when Kiran and I went to the Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem one evening, we found it bursting at its seams with people of all ages. The ground was shaking with music and young boys and girls were so busy having fun that they did not bother to even look around. Tourists were busy making deals and the whole crowd seemed to throb with the beat of the music.

I could not help but compare Israel's sense of security with the environment of insecurity that exists in Muslim countries. From Indonesia to Iran and from Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia, people are not sure of anything. In Pakistan's capital Islamabad, and the port city of Karachi, I was constantly advised not to make big purchases publicly for it encourages robbers to come after you. I did not hear news of any rape, honor killing or hold-up in Israel.

Israel is undemocratic:

As a Muslim I am much more sensitive to the absence of democratic freedoms in any society. And I do not believe that anyone but a committed anti-Semite will deny that Israel is not a democracy. Democracy in Israel is proportional and representative, but democratic coalitions, necessary in order to effect any decision making also have its problems.

I tried very hard to find any Muslim state that has true democracy and where religious minorities are accorded equal democratic rights, but failed.

The very first day in Caesarea introduced us to the Israeli democracy. The air was full of political debate and discussion. Ariel Sharon's decision to leave the Likud and form a new political party dominated the hotel halls and underlined the problems caused by the necessity of having democratic coalitions. "The object of a free and democratic Israeli society is to reach satisfactory compromise but often the conclusions are less than satisfactory -- especially for the majority. It involves coalitions and unity which are also checks and balances on any potential abuse of minority rights. It is a better system than the American representative Republican system -- which is really a representation of power and special interests. In the U.S. you get a democracy for the few. In Israel you have a democracy for everyone."

I tried very hard to find any Muslim state that has true democracy and where religious minorities are accorded equal democratic rights, but failed. The map of the Muslim world is too crowded with kings, despots, dictators, sham democrats and theocratic autocrats and the persecution of minorities is an essential part of Islamist social behavior. But here, protected by Israel's democratic principles, the Muslim Arab citizens of Israel are afforded all the rights and privileges of Israeli citizenship. When the first elections to the Knesset were held in February 1949, Israeli Arabs were given the right to vote and to be elected along with Israeli Jews. Today, Israel's Arab citizens are accorded full civil and political rights entitled to complete participation in Israeli society. They are active in Israeli social, political and civic life and enjoy representation in Israel's Parliament, Foreign Service and judicial system.

The Israeli faith in democracy also explains their refusal to respond to Islamist terrorism in violent ways. Despite my being aware of the human weaknesses which allow anger to subjugate the best of intentions, I could not find Israelis acting in vengeance against their Arab compatriots. My experience as a Muslim was also instrumental in expecting the worst in human behavior; Muslims under the influence of radical Islam have been unleashing their terror against non-Muslims even when the charges of anti-Muslim offenses were determined to be false.

I thought that it requires a superhuman effort to ignore the atrocities meted out to you and remain free of vengeful emotions. In my experience of Muslim societies, minorities have never been allowed the benefit of the doubt. Hatred of non-Muslims and outbursts of violence against minority faiths among radical Islamists have remained a norm rather than an exception. As a non-Wahhabi Muslim I have personally faced their barbarism and have watched Christians, Hindus and other minorities being persecuted on false pretenses. I thought that if Wahhabis in Saudi Arabia can sentence a teacher to 40 months in jail and 750 lashes just for praising Jews, it will not be unreasonable on the part of Israelis to punish Palestinians for throwing stones at worshippers at the Western Wall and burning down the tomb of Joseph.

But even in this section, Israelis have proved the world wrong. Despite daily provocations, they have managed successfully not to descend to the same level of depravity as their Arab enemies. The world is used to daily violence that is unleashed against religious minorities in the Muslim world. Only a couple of days ago the Muslim faithful in Pakistan had broken through the walls of a Church, torching and tearing open its doors. They were reacting to a rumor that a Christian had desecrated their holy book, the Quran. They smashed the marble altar of the Holy Spirit Church and shattered its stained glass windows. They torched a Christian residence and the neighboring St. Anthony's Girls School. Within moments flames were licking the walls and black smoke filled the sky. For days the Wahhabi clerics kept on calling their Muslim followers to come out from their houses and defend their faith by unleashing a reign of terror against Christians.

I wondered if an Israeli may someday find it justified to copy what Wahhabis have been doing in Iraq and other places -- abducting, murdering and beheading "infidels". Most recently, the body of a Hindu driver, Maniappan Raman Kutty, was found with his throat slashed in southern Afghanistan for no evident reason but his faith.

But there was nothing in history that could have substantiated my fears; Jews, despite being subjected to the most barbaric acts of terrorism have yet to react in vengeance against their perpetrators. And I concluded that my first visit to Israel will help me in untangling the knot of Israel's insistence on continuing to remain a target of Islamist terror.

Muslim Arab citizen of Israel do not have equal rights:

As our air-conditioned bus negotiated the mountainous curves of the road to the heart of Galilee, I could not miss the rising minarets identifying a number of Palestinian Arab towns dotting the hillsides. The imposing domes of mosques underlined the freedoms that are enjoyed by the Muslims in the Jewish State. Large Arab residences, wide spread construction activity and big cars underlined the prosperity and affluence of Palestinians living under the Star of David.

The Palestinian taxi driver said that he could never think of living outside Israel.

On my way from the city of David to the Royal Prima hotel in Jerusalem, I asked my Palestinian taxi driver how he feels about moving to the territories under Palestinian Authority. He said that he could never think of living outside Israel. His answer blasted the myth spread by anti-Semites that Israel's Arab citizens are not happy there.

Another Israeli Arab informed me that Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights. In fact, Israel is one of the few countries in the Middle East where Arab women can vote. In contrast to the non-Israeli Arab world, Arab women in Israel enjoy the same status as men. Muslim women have the right to vote and to be elected to public office. Muslim women, in fact are more liberated in Israel than in any Muslim country. Israeli law prohibits polygamy, child marriage, and the barbarity of female sexual mutilation.

Moreover, I found out that there are no incidences of honor killings in Israel. The status of Muslim women in Israel is far above that of any country in the region. Israeli health standards are by far the highest in the Middle East and Israeli health institutions are freely open to all Arabs, on the same basis as they are to Jews.

Arabic, like Hebrew, is an official language in Israel and underlines the tolerant nature of the Jewish State. All the street signs call out their names in Arabic alongside Hebrew. It is official policy of the Israeli government to foster the language, culture, and traditions of the Arab minority, in the educational system and in daily life. Israel's Arabic press is the most vibrant and independent of any country in the region. There are more than 20 Arabic periodicals. They publish what they please, subject only to the same military censorship as Jewish publications. There are daily TV and radio programs in Arabic.

Arabic is taught in Jewish secondary schools. More than 350,000 Arab children attend Israeli schools. At the time of Israel's founding, there was one Arab high school in the country. Today, there are hundreds of Arab schools. Israeli universities are renowned centers of learning in the history and literature of the Arab Middle East.

Aware of the constraints that a non-Wahhabi is faced with while performing religious rituals in Saudi Arabia, Kiran (my wife) could not hide her surprise at the freedoms and ease with which peoples of all religions and faiths were carrying out their religious obligations at the Church of the holy Sepulcher, Garden Tomb, Sea of Galilee, newly discovered Western Wall Tunnels, Western Wall, tomb of King David and all the other holy places we visited.

All religious communities in Israel enjoy the full protection of the State. Israeli Arabs --Muslims, as well as many Christian denominations -- are free to exercise their faiths, to observe their own weekly day of rest and holidays and to administer their own internal affairs. Some 80,000 Druze live in 22 villages in northern Israel. Their religion is not accessible to outsiders and Druze constitute a separate cultural, social and religious Arabic-speaking community. The Druze concept of taqiyya calls for complete loyalty by its adherents to the government of the country in which they reside. As such, among other things, the Druze serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Each religious community in Israel has its own religious councils and courts, and has full jurisdiction over religious affairs, including matters of personal status, such as marriage and divorce. The holy sites of all religions are administered by their own authorities and protected by the government.

A Hindu journalist who came to visit me talked about the openness that Jewish society represents. He told me that more than 20% of the Israeli population is non-Jewish of which approximately 1.2 million are Muslims, 140,000 are Christians and 100, 000 are Druze. Another non-Jewish Israeli told me that Christians and Druze are free to join even the defense forces of the Jewish State. Bedouins have served in paratroops units and other Arabs have volunteered for military duty.

The big houses owned by Arab Israelis and the amount of construction that was going on in the Arab towns exposed the falsity of propaganda that Israel discriminates against Israeli Arabs from buying lands. I found out that in the early part of the century, the Jewish National Fund was established by the World Zionist Congress to purchase land in Palestine for Jewish settlement. Of the total area of Israel, 92 percent belongs to the State and is managed by the Land Management Authority. It is not for sale to anyone, Jew or Arab.

The existence of Israel will one day convince the Muslims of the necessity of reformation in their theology as well as sociology.

The Arab Waqf owns land that is for the express use and benefit of Muslim Arabs. Government land can be leased by anyone, regardless of race, religion or sex. All Arab citizens of Israel are eligible to lease government land.

I asked three Israeli Arabs if they face discrimination in employment. They all said the same thing; normally there is no discrimination but whenever homicide bombers explode and murder Israelis, some Israelis feel uncomfortable dealing with them. But that uncomfortable feeling is also very temporary and does not stay for long.

My first visit to Israel has not only consolidated my belief that Israel is vital for the stability of the region but has also convinced me that the existence of Israel will one day convince the Muslims of the necessity of reformation in their theology as well as sociology.

A journey through the Israeli desert brought another important aspect of life to light; Prophets are not the only ones who can perform miracles -- people who believe in themselves can also perform unbelievable acts. Acres and acres of sand dunes have been transformed into the best possible fertile land; Wheat, Cotton, Sunflowers, Chickpeas, Groundnuts (Peanuts), Mangoes, Avocados, Citrus, Papayas, bananas and any other fruit and vegetable that Israelis want to consume is grown within Israel. In fact, Israelis have proved beyond any doubt why God promised them this land - only they could keep it green.

The land is described repeatedly in the Torah as a good land and "a land flowing with milk and honey". This description may not seem to fit well with the desert images we see on the nightly news, but let's keep in mind that the land was repeatedly abused by conquerors that were determined to make the land uninhabitable for the Jews. In the few decades since the Jewish people regained control of the land, tremendous improvement in its agriculture has been witnessed. Israeli agriculture today has a very high yield. Agriculture in Israel is very effective, and is able to cover about 75% of domestic needs, despite the limited land available.

Looking at the development and transformation that the land has gone through because of the Jewish innovative spirit, hard labor and commitment to freedoms for all times to come, I am convinced that it is true that God created this earth but it is also a fact that only an Israel can keep this earth from dying.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 40

(40)
Deborah,
September 22, 2016 8:49 PM

Addendum

I have to add the following:
1)- If some Israeli's are alleged to be uncomfortable dealing with Israeli Arabs based on the actions of Palestinians, is that not discriminatory?
2)- Also no mention of Ethiopian Jews, who have been protesting discrimination.for a while now.
Otherwise a nice article.

(39)
Lemec,
January 8, 2011 4:12 AM

Truth is freedom

It is refreshing to see another Muslim seeing and writing the truth. Self criticism can only be achieved through strong morals and convictions.

(38)
Michael, an Israeli,
November 11, 2009 9:54 AM

Good intentions, misinformed

This well intentioned article missed on some key issues underlying the ethnic tensions in Israel: Arabs have de-facto lesser status, lesser education options lesser opportunities. While Israeli law states equality for "religion, race and gender" it is not so simple in reality.
Still while many Arab or Muslim countries have far worse conditions than in Israel, This does not make Israel that of an example for minority rights, as would be the case for Sweden perhaps, or the USA.

(37)
Anonymous,
August 21, 2009 7:35 PM

"Who is like your nation Israel!!!!!!"

(36)
Riri,
March 29, 2009 7:02 PM

shalom from Egypt

many arab like dr Sayyed but they can`t say the truth because of their governments.thank you and i hope all arab understand that.i muslim too but i love israel and all israelis.

(35)
A catholic girl,
January 21, 2009 4:33 AM

in love with Israel

I visited Israel for the first time in 2005. I can validate what is described in this article for the feeling this country gave me was that of freedom and safety. 3 years later, and now settled here after falling in love with this land and its inhabitants, this text describes what I live today, even with the fight in gaza going on. I live in a nation that has absolutely nothing to do with my origins, ethnicity, language but that shares the same morals of my culture and education. I have met people of similar characteristics as mine and we all agree that we made one the best choices of our lives by coming to start a new life here. I am from South America and have lived in Europe and North America. I take my hat off before Israelis and thank them for building the wonderful country that I now allow myself to call home. Thanks to Dr. Tashbih Sayyed for sharing his observations.

(34)
umana etiakam,
March 13, 2008 2:51 AM

Good to know from a muslim Sayyed

I am neither a Jew nor a muslim nor a middle easterner but i was spiritually lifted reading from an informed muslim about Israel's policies towards the non-Jews. May Arabs and their islam be informed as Dr Sayyed.

(33)
Evelyne,
April 20, 2007 11:16 PM

The article "a muslim in a jewish land" is so heart warming mostly coming from a muslim. Thank you Dr Tashbih Sayyed for your honesty and most of all for the courage you had to be so honest.

Thank youEvelyne

(32)
Mani,
August 8, 2006 12:00 AM

Muslim tax exemption

I am astounded by your article and it's kind words to Jews. It is peaceful but I want to bring one point to your attention; I was told by Israelis that although Arabs receive all the privileges of a social welfare state, they do not, however, pay tax in Israel. Perhaps you could check on the truth of this claim? If it is indeed true, then the Israelis have gone further than being equal to muslim Arabs; they have shown 'positive discrimination' at the expense of their own people. Perhaps, initially,it was to give a leg-up to the Arabs who had a poor economy in the early years? Can you clarify on this tax exemption, please?

(31)
ilana,
February 24, 2006 12:00 AM

Thank You DrSayyed

Thank G-d there are some people out there in the Muslim world who can give an unbiased, educated perspective on Israel.
Now please G-d let there be more to follow.

(30)
Anonymous,
February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

want to give credit and thanks

this article was outstanding. I received it from a friend and now I see that its in Aish website.
I sent it to many people. They all wanted to send their thanks to this Professor, for sharing his clarity and truth.
Thanks from my family and friends. This was a very special and important article!

(29)
Tom Tellezt,
January 25, 2006 12:00 AM

A Muslim in a jewish land

One of the best articles I've read in a very long time.

(28)
Al Ross,
January 22, 2006 12:00 AM

This reading was sent to me from a friend. I have found it to be very honest, truthful and powerful. At least, we as a people have reach one important Muslim Journalist. His eyes are opened to the truth. It is my prayer, that he will continue to pass on to his people all that he saw and experienced. In other words we can learn to live side by side in a peace.
Alex Ross

(27)
James Arwa,
December 26, 2005 12:00 AM

Wonderful aricle yhat was. It raised my curiosity

The truth and honesty shall prevail wherever there are those who seek it. Samples like what I just read are eye openers and encourage others to go see and bear witness for themselves and others. They are windows into the real world.

(26)
eugene,
December 22, 2005 12:00 AM

At least you are honest . . . but not enough.

I was born and grew up in an islamic country, I've seen many amongst my friends are like Dr Sayyed, who when alone with me they would praise the Jews and everything they do, but whenever another muslim is around the dare not mention a single good thing about Jews, hypocracy or fear . . . I wish I could see more Salman Rushdie.

(25)
Carin Staines,
December 21, 2005 12:00 AM

What a wondeful story. As a christian, I just revelled in reading this article.

(24)
Dina Letarte,
December 20, 2005 12:00 AM

feedback

Outstanding article!
(A Muslim in a Jewish land)

Dr. Sayyid's article should be published in more mainstream media as so the unenlightened people who have never been to Israel may at least begin to think in technicolor rather than black and white.

Sincerely,
Dina Letarte

(23)
Stanley Lamb,
December 19, 2005 12:00 AM

Israel

What a wonderful article. That a muslim wrote it and published it is such a wonderful thing. It is a first for me to see such a event.
I do appreciate and enjoy your publications.

(22)
Zachary Brown,
December 18, 2005 12:00 AM

I was relieved to read Dr. Tashbih Sayyed's article

Thank you Dr. Tashbih Sayyed for your honesty. I respect you very much.

(21)
Andre,
December 18, 2005 12:00 AM

to the arabs

Show it to the arabs, we already know all that....
Where else was this article shown?

(20)
Anonymous,
December 17, 2005 12:00 AM

To LEO bESSER,the myth of Jews controlling the world.. (forget about Colonialism, Socialism, Nazism and Fascism) was propogated and caricatured by those who wanted to demonise us, and seize power on the premise of this falsehood, remove us and you eliminate a lot of talent which ypu can then claim as your own, you can even claim to be the new children of Israel...if you are totalitarian ypu can get rid of all codes of ethics, including th Ten Commandments..espescially thou shalt not covet, steal murder or bear false witness.. there now, the myth explained..in every generation they shall rise against us, it says so in the Haggadah,...a self fulfiiling prophecy, no doubt...

(19)
Dr. Gloria Zeledon Guzman,
December 17, 2005 12:00 AM

Dr. Sayyed:
Your impartial and objective views
with regard to Israel, her people and society are a public recognition
of the real Israel.
In "A Muslim in a Jewish Land" we hear also an educated Muslim voice
in favor of co-existence, a word we
mothers understand very well.
I have sent it to my friends in the
Association of University Women.
Thank you!

(18)
rachel kalmanovich,
December 16, 2005 12:00 AM

Dr. Tashbih Sayyed I would like to thank you for such beautiful article. I wish everyone in the World could understand that this land can prosper in Jewish hands. I have to love the land in order land to work for you.and love Jewish People has to this land i do not think any one os capable of. 5766 Jewish mind never forsake this greatest land in while wide world.
Thank you, again

(17)
Renata Paperno,
December 15, 2005 12:00 AM

What a refreshing article! Thank you! This is honestly the first time that I heard a Muslim be positive about Isreal. What a candid and objective view. If only others shared your views, I am sure that terrorists would not be as bold as they are today.

(16)
phil,
December 13, 2005 12:00 AM

Beautiful Read

At such hated times between two cultures/religions, it's nice to see a non-brainwashed Muslim point of view of Israel. I have sent it to my Muslim friends and they all seem to have different and more positive views of Israel now. Thank you!

An interesting article!What is perhaps haunting the the world of Muslims and Jews is clossal 'ignorance'. As a Muslim I know that our holy prophet showed extra respect for other religions when there was peace and also treaeted his 'jew' guest with remarkable compassion.In the long history of Muslim rule in Spain, Muslim and Jews went along very comfortably to th extent that seeing their difficulties during decades of migration in Europe ,that period is labbelled as golden age. The question is then why fuss all about.It is because we have been denied access to each other like peace loving communities and thus thick opaque curtain has led to ignorance, cursing each other without knowing each other. I recall a couple of years back in Washington, best courtesy shown to me was by a Jew. I know they respect us. What goes on during declared wars if inevitable may go on but during peace time we are to interact like two civilized societies. God bless us all.

(14)
Martin J. Pine,
December 12, 2005 12:00 AM

An intelligent, understanding Muslim - Astonishing!

I am so acclimated to the newspaper notion that the Arab World is uniformly at war with and plans the extermination of Israel, as the President of Iran most recently boasted. To tell the truth, I still find it difficult to believe that Dr. Sayyed exists in fact and is not some wishful thinker's concoction. Are there any other Muslim journalistic voices in favor of co-existence with Israel, to say nothing of actual admiration and sympathy for it. Do Israeli Arab publications address this point editorially?

(13)
Bobbie Goldman,
December 12, 2005 12:00 AM

fatwa

Do his comments now mean that a fatwa will be issued for him?

(12)
Nancy Ocrant,
December 12, 2005 12:00 AM

Excellent! Better than my experience living in Israel 30 yearsago!

(11)
Talia,
December 12, 2005 12:00 AM

What a story

Well, it is so refreshing to hear that a Moslim journalist can actually be non-biased!
in answer to Muhammad Aslam Khan Niazi, when Jews were actually in Spain at the time the Mosllims were in control, it wasn't exactly all equal. Synagogues weren't allowed to be higher than Mosques, and when out riding, (as was the given transport at that time), a Jew's head couldn't be higher than any Arab's, (donkey Vs hourse).
but still, what an amazing piece of journalism - just hope that there can be more like it!

(10)
James Watson,
December 12, 2005 12:00 AM

Thankyou for your recognition of the real Israel

Shalom,
I just finished reading "A Muslim in a Jewish Land" by Dr. Tashbih Sayyed and was most pleased and encouraged by his ecumenical, impartial and complimentary words with regard to Israel, her society and approach to all her citizens. Could you please pass on this message of recognition and gratitude to him for his recognition of the real Israel.
Thankyou,
James Watson

(9)
Bob Reid,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

so what else is new?

Thanks to Dr Sayyed for his timely article..but it is published in the wrong place..it should be on the front page of the NY Times and Every Arab paper in the world...Sadly it will not happen as long as the Despots are in charge and the media is so biased.
Bob Reid

(8)
George Jakubovits,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

one person's view

Very insightful article. However one tourist's view differs from another tourist's view - I, as a Jewish tourist - did not see things this rosy in Israel. So how do Israel's Arab and Jewish citizens see its democratic-torah based system??

(7)
Markoosie Patsauq,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Descrisption of Israel

Dr. Sayyed has described Israel as exactly as I see it in 2000. My God continue to bless Israel.

(6)
Leo Besser,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Living in peace with our fellow man

I have never understood the problem that the world has had with the Jews. Without the Jews there would not be any monotheistic religion, and the world would still be serving false gods made from wood and stone or things found in our environment like the sun, moon, water and the land itself. I have asked non-Jews to define the problem but they can only say that the Jews control the world. This is not true, but they all seem to believe that the successful Jews who earn and build wealth, and then use this wealth to help mankind as the basic problem. What about all the non-Jews who are wealthy and in control of certain areas of the economy? Why do they not have a problem with these people? Why should success be a problem? Any person from any country, from any religion, from any race can; come to Israel and become a citizen with all the rights and privileges of every other citizen. I admire any Muslim who sees the truth as it really is and not necessarily as they would like it to be or as the radical leaders say it should be. I am a Jew but I do not approve of everything that some Jews do, however, I try to get along with them just the same. Just because I do not like what they do, I do not want to blow myself up and take other innocent people with me to the hereafter. My thanks to the writer for an honest article.

(5)
Anna from New Zealand,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Do publish this elsewhere-it is badly needed

This obviously factual account should be printed in every newspaper in every country. The things he says must be true, as they would be too easy to refute were they not.

This is the best article I have read for a long time, but I do wish that more people could read it. PLEASE_PLEASE-send it to other papers. I am not quite so pessimistic as Bob Reid & hope that there are enough decent papers around who would publish such an account.

(4)
Anonymous,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Refreshing perspective from a normal Pakistani

It was refreshing to discover that there are, apparently, some individuals from Muslim nations that are actually normal, mentally healthy, everyday people, and that they can actually see Israel for what it really is, and write about it truthfully.

(3)
M. Blau,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Thank you, Dr. Sayyed

Thank you for publishing this article in your newspaper. I too wonder about Israel's ability to counter the bad press it continues to receive. May your article soon be joined by others in media outlets around the world.

(2)
Audrey Thomas,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Interesting article

Yes, long awaited and well deserved article has finally been written about the Jews and the land of Israel from a different perspective. God Bless You.

(1)
Michael Fridman,
December 11, 2005 12:00 AM

The U.S. Republican System is Superior to the Parlimentary System employed in Israel and other Countries

I would like to start out by inviting Dr. Sayyed to the United States,and especially visit Washington if he hasn't already done so. The assertion that the parliamentary system used in Israel is superior to the Repulican system in the U.S. is, in my opiniong, not true. There a are several reasons of which, I will only go into a couple.

First, the Republican system is more stable. You don't have a constantly changing number of political parties and makeup of the government in the U.S. as you do in parliamentary systems. The instability forces many elections and you get "voter burnout" where too many elections caused by this coalition or that coalition falling apart, as we are currently seeing in Sharon creating a new party. Also, having to hold many elections is expensive and voter turnout will be much lower, my "voter burnout" theory.

Secondly, the leader of the country, the prime minister in the parliamentary systems and president in republican systems are elected much differently. The prime minister is not elected by the people, he is elected by the parliamentarians that are elected by the people and just because the people elected to someone to the Knesset, or House of Commons in England, does not mean that whomever they nominate to be their PM is the person the people want. If that is the case, then another round of elections can be forced. This also gives the government more power than in the Republican system in the U.S. Here in the U.S. the people vote for the President, not Congress. This means that he president is a check on congress and vice versa. You don't have a conflict of interest this way. Also, by having the president elected by the people, a party does not come into power just because of the person who leads it. As Sharon demonstrated with the destruction of his Likud party. Which ever party Mr. Sharon goes to will be elected into power so long as they make him PM. As I mentioned above with the president being a check on congress and vice versa, there have been many times in U.S. history where there has been a president from one party and congress being controlled by the other. This is the best way to have it because the president can keep congress in check if it tries to vote itself more powers. With a perliamentary system, since the prime minister is elected by his party, he is going to be more willing to put the laws into action that his party wants, at least if he wants to be elected prime minister again. This is not so in the U.S.

These are but two very simple examples of why the parliamentary system employed in Israel, and other countries of the world, is not superior and in maney cases, is inferior when it comes to freedom. Granted, the two party system in the U.S. does have it's flaws but the stability that is a result is well worth the minor flaws that you see in American political parties. Lastly, with the parliamentary system, you have a greater risk of a despotic, or socialistic government that will start to tell the people what is best for them. That is precisely the reson why the founding fathers of the Unites States used the republican system that Rome used. Republican systems are harder to corrupt. Rome's only became that way because the of the Emperor. And lastly, the other big reason is logistics, a country as big as the U.S. would could not have a perliamentary system because of it's sheer size. It would be much too difficult to govern.
I would like to thank Dr. Sayyet for his comments on his perspective being altered after actually seeing Israel and what it is like. If only more like him would visit Israel with such and open mind and see what it for what it is, a democracy, the only one save the the rise of Iraq in the middle east.